JPH11166779A - Low noise operating method for refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption and operational noise in nighttime by controlling the operating rate of a fan and a compressor selectively depending on the peripheral environment of a refrigerator. SOLUTION: A first fan drive section 60 under control of a microcomputer 50 transmits a drive signal selectively to a first fan 70 for cold storage room and a second fan drive section 80 transmits a drive signal to a second fan 90 for freezing room. A compressor drive section 100 delivers a drive signal selectively to a compressor 110. The microcomputer 50 interprets the temperature and the intensity of light on the outside of a refrigerator detected, respectively, at a third temperature detecting section 30 and a photodetecting section 40 and makes a decision whether it is daytime or nighttime based on the results of interpretation. It is nighttime, the microcomputer 50 resets first and second reference temperatures to increase by 3 deg.C to decrease the operating rate of the first and second fans 70, 90 and the compressor 110 thus suppressing the operational noise.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a method for reducing operating noise generated from a refrigerator at night.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a refrigerator performs cooling or freezing through its cooling system. In general, a cooling system basically includes three components: an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser. In operation, the compressor compresses the low temperature, low pressure refrigerant gas from the evaporator into a high temperature, high pressure refrigerant gas, and the condenser condenses the high temperature, high pressure refrigerant gas from the compressor into a high temperature, high pressure refrigerant liquid. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant liquid is converted into a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant liquid through the expansion valve, and then flows into the evaporator. The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant liquid absorbs heat from the air around the evaporator and cools the air. One or two fans are commonly used in refrigerators to efficiently cool air and increase cooling efficiency.

In a refrigerator employing one fan, the operating rate of the fan and the compressor is determined by the internal temperature of the refrigerator. In a refrigerator employing two fans, the internal temperatures of the refrigerator and the freezer are each determined. Respectively.

[0004] However, since such a refrigerator cannot distinguish day and night, there is a problem that noises generated by a fan and a compressor, which are main noise sources of the refrigerator, are generated regardless of day and night.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a method for reducing the noise generated from a refrigerator at night by selectively controlling the operating rates of a fan and a compressor. is there.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a low-noise operation method for a refrigerator, comprising the steps of: a) detecting an external temperature of the refrigerator; B) comparing the external light intensity with the reference temperature, and c) periodically detecting the external light intensity when the detected external temperature is equal to or lower than the reference temperature. D) a step of determining whether the absolute value of the difference between the intensities is equal to or greater than a first reference light intensity, and measuring the amount of change in the external light intensity over time; The first
If not less than the reference light intensity, determine whether the former of the two consecutively detected external light intensities exceeds the latter, if the former is less than the latter Is
E) operating the refrigerator in the normal operation mode;
If the former exceeds the latter, a first drive reference temperature for driving the first fan for the refrigerator compartment and a second drive reference temperature for driving the second fan for the compressor and the freezer compartment.
And f) operating the refrigerator in a low-noise operation mode by increasing a driving reference temperature by a predetermined temperature.

[0007]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator that can be operated with low noise at night according to the present invention. As shown, the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a first temperature detecting unit 10,
Second temperature detecting section 20, third temperature detecting section 30, light detecting section 4
0, a door opening / closing sensor 45 for detecting the opening / closing state of a refrigerator door, a microcomputer 50, a first fan driving unit 6
0, a second fan drive unit 80, a first fan 70, a second fan 90, a compressor drive unit 100, a compressor 110, a heater drive unit 120, and a defrost heater 130.

The first temperature detecting section 10 arranged at an appropriate position in the refrigerator compartment detects the temperature in the refrigerator compartment and sends the value of the detected temperature to the microcomputer 50. The second temperature detection unit 20 installed at an appropriate position in the freezer compartment detects the temperature in the freezer compartment and sends the value of the detected temperature to the microcomputer 50. The third temperature detector 30 installed at an appropriate position outside the refrigerator detects the external temperature and sends the value of the detected temperature to the microcomputer 50.

A light detection unit 40 provided at an appropriate position outside the refrigerator periodically detects the external light intensity of the refrigerator,
The value of the detected light intensity is sent to the microcomputer 50.

A door opening / closing sensor 45 detects opening / closing of a refrigerator door and sends the result of the detection to the microcomputer 5.
Send to 0.

The first fan drive section 60 controlled by the microcomputer 50 is provided with a first fan 7 for the refrigerator compartment.
0 is selectively transmitted to the drive signal. First fan drive unit 6
When a drive signal from 0 is input to the first fan 70, the first fan 70 is started and discharges cool air around an evaporator (not shown) toward the refrigerator compartment.

Similarly to the first fan drive unit 60, the second fan drive unit 80 controlled by the microcomputer 50 selectively outputs a drive signal to the second fan 90 for the freezer compartment.
To be transmitted. When a drive signal from the second fan drive unit 80 is input to the second fan 90, the second fan 90 is started and discharges cool air around the evaporator toward the freezing compartment.

The compressor drive section 100 controlled by the microcomputer 50 selectively outputs a drive signal to the compressor 110. When a drive signal is input to the compressor 110, the compressor 110 compresses the low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant gas from the evaporator into a high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant gas and sends it to a condenser (not shown).

In the defrosting operation mode of the refrigerator, the heater driving unit 1 controlled by the microcomputer 50
Reference numeral 20 selectively outputs a drive signal to a defrost heater 130 provided in the evaporator. When a drive signal is input to the defrost heater 130, the defrost heater 130 generates heat to remove frost formed on the evaporator.

In the normal operation mode of the refrigerator, the microcomputer 50 determines the temperature in the refrigerator compartment detected by the first temperature detector 10 and the temperature in the refrigerator compartment detected by the second temperature detector 20 and the refrigerator compartment. And a second drive reference temperature for driving the freezer compartment. More specifically, the first drive reference temperature is set to select the drive point of the first fan 70 for the refrigerator compartment. The second drive reference temperature is set to the drive point of the compressor 110 and the second fan 90 for the freezer compartment. Each is set by the user to select. Here, the ranges of the first and second driving reference temperatures are approximately -1 ° C to 0.65 ° C and -2, respectively.
2.5 ° C to -17.5 ° C.

Before switching to the defrosting mode, the refrigerator automatically switches from the normal operation mode to the pre-cooling mode. In the pre-cooling mode, the compressor 110 is forcibly driven for a predetermined time, and in the defrosting mode, the compressor 110 is activated to remove frost formed on the evaporator. The condition for switching from the pre-cooling mode to the defrost mode is determined by the operation rate and operation time of the compressor 110. For example, the operating rate of the compressor is 80%, and its operating time is about 6 on average.
If it is time, the refrigerator goes through the pre-cooling mode and is converted to the defrost mode.

Further, the microcomputer 50 interprets the external temperature of the refrigerator detected by the third temperature detecting section 30 and the external light intensity of the refrigerator detected by the light detecting section 40, and based on the result of the interpretation. Judge day and night. If it is recognized that it is nighttime, the microcomputer 50 resets the first and second driving reference temperatures so that each of them is increased by 3 ° C., and the first and second fans 70,
By reducing the operating rate of the compressor 90 and the compressor 110, the operating noise is reduced.

The microcomputer 50 determines whether the door of the refrigerator has been opened or closed. When the door of the refrigerator is opened or closed, the microcomputer 50 changes the mode of the refrigerator and switches it to the normal operation mode, for example, 30 minutes.
After operating the refrigerator for about a minute, the process returns to the day / night determination step. Further, the microcomputer 50
Determines whether the refrigerator has reached the point of transition to the defrost mode. Unlike ordinary refrigerators, if the refrigerator reaches the point of transition to the defrost mode, the refrigerator does not immediately start the defrost function. More specifically, the microcomputer 50 delays the start point of the defrosting mode for a predetermined time, minimizes the operation rate of the compressor 110 at night, and operates the refrigerator with low noise.

Hereinafter, the low noise operation method of the refrigerator according to the present invention will be described in more detail.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are flow charts for explaining the low noise operation method of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, in the normal operation mode, the microcomputer 50 first detects the external temperature of the refrigerator detected by the third temperature detecting section 30 as a reference temperature (for example, 3 ° C.).
It is determined whether the temperature is 5 ° C. or lower (step S1). If the external temperature is lower than the reference temperature, the process proceeds to step S2; otherwise, the external temperature is determined again.

In step S2, the microcomputer 50 determines that the absolute value of the difference between the two consecutively detected external light intensities of the refrigerator detected by the light detection unit 40 is the first reference light intensity (eg, 500LUX) or more. The first reference light intensity is used to measure a temporal change amount of the external light intensity of the refrigerator. If the absolute value of the difference between two consecutively detected external light intensities is greater than or equal to the first reference light intensity, the process proceeds to step S3;
Recognizes that the external light intensity has naturally changed, and proceeds to step S4.
Proceed to.

In step S3, the microcomputer 50 determines whether or not the former of the two successively detected external light intensities detected by the light detector 40 exceeds the latter. If the former exceeds the latter, the microcomputer 50 recognizes that the user has turned off at night and proceeds to step S5 to operate the refrigerator in the low-noise operation mode described below. Recognizes that the user is lit at night, and proceeds to step S6.

In step S4, the microcomputer 50 selects the second reference light intensity (for example, 100 L) from the two external light intensities of the refrigerators detected consecutively.
UX) is determined. If the latter is equal to or less than the second reference light intensity, the microcomputer 50 recognizes that it is nighttime and proceeds to step S5.
Recognizing that it is daytime, the process proceeds to step S6 through tap A.

In step S6, the refrigerator operates in the normal operation mode, and the process returns to the start through tap B. In the normal operation mode, the microcomputer 50 does not output a drive signal to the first fan drive unit 60 when the temperature in the refrigerator compartment detected by the first temperature detection unit 10 is lower than the first drive reference temperature, When the temperature in the refrigerator compartment is equal to or higher than the maximum temperature, a drive signal is output to the first fan drive unit 60 to activate the first fan 70 and send cool air around the evaporator to the refrigerator compartment. Similarly,
When the temperature in the freezer compartment detected by the second temperature detection unit 20 is lower than the second drive reference temperature, the microcomputer 50 does not output a drive signal to the compressor drive unit 100 and the second fan drive unit 80. When the temperature in the freezer compartment is equal to or higher than the maximum temperature, a drive signal is output to the compressor drive unit 100, and then a drive signal is output to the second fan drive unit 80 after approximately one minute. Then, the second fan 90 is started, and the cool air around the evaporator is sent to the freezing room.

On the other hand, in step S5, the ranges of the first and second driving reference temperatures are reset so as to increase by 3 ° C., for example. More specifically, the ranges of the first and second drive reference temperatures are 2 ° C. to 3.65 ° C. and −19.
5 ° C to -14.5 ° C. Thus, the operation noise of the compressor 110 is reduced, so that the operation noise of the refrigerator is reduced. Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step S7 in FIG.

In step S7 in FIG. 3, the microcomputer 50 determines whether a predetermined time (for example, one hour) has elapsed. If one hour has elapsed, the microcomputer 50 proceeds to step S11. Goes to step S8.

In step S8, the microcomputer 50 determines again whether or not the absolute value of the difference between two consecutively detected external light intensities of the refrigerator is equal to or greater than the first reference light intensity. If the absolute value is equal to or greater than the first reference light intensity, the microcomputer 50 recognizes that the user has turned on and returns the process to step S6 in FIG. It recognizes that the strength has changed naturally and proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, the microcomputer 50 determines whether or not the door has been opened / closed based on the detection result from the door opening / closing sensor 45. If the door has been opened / closed, the process proceeds to step S10. Returns to step S7.

At step S10, the refrigerator is
After operating in the normal operation mode for minutes, the process proceeds to step S1 in FIG.

On the other hand, in step S11, the ranges of the first and second driving reference temperatures are each reset so as to decrease by, for example, 1 ° C. That is, the ranges of the first and second drive reference temperatures are 1 ° C. to 2.65 ° C. and −20.5 ° C., respectively.
−15.5 ° C. Therefore, the first and second fans 7
0, 90 and the compressor 110 are each driven at a relatively lower operation rate than in the normal operation mode.

Thereafter, in step S12, the microcomputer 50 determines whether or not the refrigerator has reached the defrosting mode switching point. If the refrigerator has reached the defrosting mode switching point, the microcomputer 50 proceeds to step S13.
If not, the process proceeds to step S15 in FIG.

In step S13, the microcomputer 50 checks whether a predetermined time (for example, 6 hours) has elapsed. Only when 6 hours have elapsed, the microcomputer 50 proceeds to step S14 to remove frost formed on the evaporator. Remove. As described above, even if the refrigerator reaches the switch point to the defrost mode in step S12, the microcomputer 50 delays the start point of the defrost mode in step S13 by about 6 hours, and sets the compressor 110 to the minimum. Operate at operating rate. Thereafter, the process returns to step S1 in FIG.

In step S15 in FIG. 4, the microcomputer 50 determines whether or not the absolute value of the difference between the external light intensities of the two refrigerators detected consecutively is equal to or greater than the first reference light intensity. . If the absolute value is equal to or greater than the first reference light intensity, the microcomputer 50 recognizes that the user has turned on, and the process returns to step S6 in FIG. Recognizes that the external light intensity has naturally changed, and proceeds to step S16.

In step S16, the microcomputer 50 determines whether or not the door has been opened / closed based on the detection result from the door opening / closing sensor 45. If it is determined that the door has been opened / closed, the process proceeds to tapping. Returning to step S10 in FIG. 3 through H, otherwise returning to step S12 in FIG.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0038]

Therefore, according to the present invention, the surrounding environment of the refrigerator (for example, turning on or off, opening and closing the door of the refrigerator).
Thus, the operating noise and power consumption of the refrigerator at night can be further reduced by selectively controlling the operating rates of the fan and the compressor and appropriately delaying the start point of the defrosting mode.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a low noise operation method of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a low noise operation method of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a low noise operation method of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 20, 30 Temperature detection unit 40 Light detection unit 45 Door open / close detection unit 50 Microcomputer 60, 80 First and second fan drive units 70, 90 First and second fan 100 Compressor drive unit 110 Compressor 120 Heater Drive unit 130 Defrost heater

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A low noise operation method for a refrigerator, the method comprising: a) detecting an external temperature of the refrigerator; b) comparing the detected external temperature with a reference temperature; If the temperature is equal to or less than the temperature, a step c for periodically detecting the external light intensity; and whether an absolute value of a difference between two consecutively detected external light intensities is equal to or more than the first reference light intensity. Judging whether or not, the d step of measuring the amount of change in the external light intensity over time, and when the absolute value is equal to or greater than the first reference light intensity, the continuous detection is performed. E) determining whether the former of the two external light intensities exceeds the latter, and if the former is less than or equal to the latter, operating the refrigerator in the normal operation mode; When the former exceeds the latter, the first fan for the refrigerator compartment is driven. For driving the compressor and the second fan for the freezer compartment.
F) operating the refrigerator in a low-noise operation mode by increasing the driving reference temperature by a predetermined temperature. 2. It is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the step f, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the increased first and second drive reference temperatures are changed to a predetermined temperature. The low noise of the refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: a g-step of reducing the temperature of the refrigerator, and a h-step of checking whether the refrigerator has reached a defrosting mode transition point. how to drive. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, when the refrigerator reaches the defrosting mode transition point, delaying a start point of the defrosting mode for a predetermined time. Item 3. A low-noise operation method for a refrigerator according to Item 2. 4. An absolute value of a difference between the two consecutively detected external light intensities when the refrigerator has not reached the defrosting mode transition point is the first reference light intensity. The refrigerator is operated in the normal operation mode if the absolute value is equal to or greater than the first reference light intensity, and if not, whether the door of the refrigerator has been opened or closed. It is determined whether or not the door of the refrigerator has been opened and closed, the refrigerator is operated in the normal operation mode for a predetermined time, otherwise,
The method of claim 2, further comprising an h2 process that proceeds to the h process. 5. If the predetermined time has not elapsed after the f-th step, a g1 step of determining whether the absolute value is greater than or equal to the first reference light intensity; If the value is equal to or greater than the first reference light intensity, the refrigerator is operated in the normal operation mode; otherwise, it is determined whether the door of the refrigerator has been opened and closed,
When it is determined that there is no opening and closing of the refrigerator door,
The process proceeds to the gth step, and further includes the g2 step of operating the refrigerator in the normal operation mode for a predetermined time when it is determined that the refrigerator door is opened and closed. The low-noise operation method for a refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein 6. A low noise operation method for a refrigerator, comprising: detecting an external temperature of the refrigerator; comparing the detected external temperature with a reference temperature; and the detected external temperature is equal to or lower than the reference temperature. In this case, the process of periodically detecting the external light intensity, and determining whether the absolute value of the difference between two consecutively detected external light intensities is equal to or greater than the first reference light intensity. Measuring the amount of change in the external light intensity over time; and, when the absolute value is less than the first reference light intensity, the two external light intensities detected consecutively. Determining whether the latter is equal to or less than a second reference light intensity; and, if the latter is equal to or less than the second reference light intensity, a first drive for driving a first fan for a refrigerator compartment. A reference temperature, a second drive reference temperature for driving the compressor and the second fan for the freezer, and Increasing the temperature by a predetermined temperature and operating the refrigerator in a low-noise operation mode.